And you thought mimes were bad.

(Ronald McDonald)

Picture by: PRPhotos.com Caption by: amathistblue via Our LOL Builder

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From the NYDailyNews.com:

Four new giant balloons — Spiderman, The Pillsbury Doughboy, Ronald McDonald and Sailor Mickey — debut at the 83rd annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Although crowds will see them for the first time on Thanksgiving morning (or at the balloon inflation event the night before), it takes months to design and launch a giant balloon.

The process starts with selection. “To get up in the sky you have to be instantly recognizable, everyone has to understand who you are,” says Amy Kule, parade producer. “The Pillsbury Doughboy is a great example. This is his first year in the parade and when we tested the balloons you just knew instinctively he belonged up there.”

Balloons start out at the Macy’s Parade Studio in Hoboken, N.J. where they are meticulously molded out of clay to be 100 percent faithful to their original character design. They are cut and sewn into balloons offsite, then tested a few weeks before the parade. It’s a painstaking process that requires an incredible amount of attention to detail to an enormous balloon.

Kule says that this time of year is both incredibly intense, but also a lot of fun, “I’m filled with anticipation and I don’t get much sleep on the eve of Thanksgiving,” she says. “But by the time I see that first balloon, with three million people watching it, instead of being uptight or nervous, I get a sense of calm.”

Even though Kule is thrilled to see so many new balloons in the parade this year, she has a special place in her heart for a returning favorite. “SpongeBob makes me laugh,” she says. “Balloons want to be round and he’s this big square body. That’s no easy feat.”

Spiderman

This year, Spiderman returns to celebrate both his second appearance in the parade and Marvel’s 70th anniversary. The first Spiderman balloon debuted back in 1987 and was a Thanksgiving regular for about a decade. The new design features far more defined muscles. Says Kule, of his time off, “Spidey’s been working out. We should all look so good in tights.”

The Pillsbury Doughboy

A total newcomer to the parade, The Pillsbury Doughboy promises to be a new favorite. The biggest problem with this balloon? Millions of people will want to poke that belly, but with the Doughboy clocking in a 46.4-feet tall, they won’t be able to reach.

Ronald McDonald

This is the iconic clown’s third parade appearance and this time he’s come back as an athlete. Ronald McDonald dons what may be the world’s largest pair of ice skates for the occasion to glide through Manhattan with ease come Thanksgiving morning.

Sailor Mickey

This will be the fourth Mickey Mouse balloon design in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Mickey was one of the first characters to appear in the parade back in the 1930s. This new Sailor Mickey recalls the classic Steamboat Willie version of the famous mouse, but with modern styling.

Interrogez la foule. Elle vous dira que le clown, c’est connu, est un drôle. Il n’est pas sérieux. Ses mots sont un tas de bêtises. Il est bon animateur de goûter, surtout quand il sait gonfler les ballons et maquiller les mimines des bambins gâtés. Il remplace le père Noël dans les supermarchés de février à novembre. Il a des fleurs qui crachent de l’eau, il passe son temps à envoyer des baffes et à recevoir de grands coups de pieds. Il est maquillé en blanc, en rouge et en noir et il porte une perruque, parfois verte, parfois rouge, souvent orange fluo. Il a de larges vêtements, bariolés, un gros nœud papillon ou une immense cravate à pois, des boutons gigantesques et des chaussures palmées. Il fait rire les enfants. Parfois, il les effraie et les fait pleurer.

Voici quelques unes des petites cases dans lesquelles l’inconscient collectif enferme le clown encore aujourd’hui. Une image stéréotypée, coincée quelque part entre Monsieur Loyal, Ronald McDonald et La Piste aux Étoiles. Une image héritée d’un long passé, et aujourd’hui dépassée, remplacée par des formes d’art nouvelles (pour exemples, les clowns Fred Robbe, Stéphane Fitoussi dont je parlais récemment, mais aussi les grands Charlie Chaplin, Marceau, ou encore les très contemporains Julien Cottereau et Jean-Baptiste Thierrée). Pourtant, c’est ce clown sous naphtaline qui subsiste dans l’imaginaire de tous. D’ailleurs, pour preuve, Capital, magazine télévisé économique aux Etats-Unis, et Vice, magazine d’origine montréalaise qui se targue d’un ton intransigeant et d’une approche originale de l’information, se sont penchés sur ce thème. Résultat: une publicité pour l’un, une série d’interview pour l’autre… et surtout, deux approches décalées et novatrices certes, mais autour d’un thème éculé.

Capital Magazine

Campagne “The Clown”: “Before you begin listening ask yourself who’s talking” (Avant de commencer à écouter, demandez-vous qui parle).

Vibe Magazine

“Qu’est-ce que c’est que ce cirque? Et qu’est-ce qui fait d’un clown un clown?”, par Rocco Castoro. (Cliquez sur l’image pour accéder aux interviews).

Bubbly da Clown, par Roe Ethridge

Picture from Pebbles From Paradise

McDonald’s, the fast food chain known worldwide, is updating its logo. The signature plastic red backdrop will now be forest green in some countries in Europe.

In an attempt to remodel the chain’s image, restaurants in Europe have changed the classic red McDonald’s sign to green. Apparently this color change makes up for the misguidance in McDonald’s ethical policies. A british blog, Guardian, has more information about the re-branding of the famous chain that sells heart congestion in hamburger boxes.

“Tim Lyley, a goldsmith from London, is one of the cynics. He says: ‘It’s just a marketing thing isn’t it? What McDonald’s do is so ingrained in people’s psyche that no amount of rebranding is going to change what people think about it.’

The group’s financial results seem to disprove that sentiment. In April the company reported an 11% rise in global first quarter sales to $5.5bn, and a 22% increase in net profits to $762.4m. This was put down to surging sales in Europe and strong demand for new menu in the US.”

I find the sales increase frightening. If people are so easily duped by a marketing scam and would actually start going to McDonald’s because of the logo color change, then society has bigger problems than rampant obesity.

The thing about McDonald’s is that its image is directly correlated to the actions of the company. Since the company’s debut in 1940, increasingly larger portions of the signature greasy, high in fat food have been promoted. Though it is ultimately up to the individual to decide what is best for her own health, a restaurant should not wield its power so irresponsibly. McDonald’s was often accused of contributing to the rise of childhood obesity and was said to be marketing to young children with the introduction of Ronald McDonald in 1963.

Marketers use re-branding as a tool to change the image and oftentimes the values of a company. When a company needs to associate itself or distance itself from a particular image, a revamp of the logo is usually indicative of re-branding.
However far McDonald’s feels it needs to run from the greasy environmentally corrupt image it was linked to, will not change the fact that it continues to serve these same products under the same conditions.

McDonald’s Facts

-There are McDonalds restaurants in 119 countries.
-The “play-place” first appeared in 1987
-Six weeks after the film Super-Size Me came out, McDonalds elimianted the super-size option.

A McDonald’s in Islamabad, Pakistan. Picture from Wikipedia.com

My trusty accomplice Elisa and I went to the red carpet gala for “Once Upon a Time in Manhattan” to benefit Ronald McDonald House. HUGE SPORTS AND FILM MEMORABILIA

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Once Upon A Time in Manhattan is a charity gala to benefit Ronald McDonald House, hosted by Fox 5’s Dari Alexander with a live performance by Bradford. Guests will enjoy a strolling black tie dinner catered by Cipriani, cocktails by Diageo Spirits, and music by celebrity DJ Catherine Oullette (a.k.a. “SynCity”). Following dinner, a large silent auction will be held.

Held at NYC hotspot Marquee, “Once Upon A Time In Manhattan” includes a celebrity-studded red carpet, speakers, food catered by Cipriani and cocktails by Diageo Spirits, entertainment, silent auction by the Autograph Store, Winspire Travel, Judith Ripka and Steiner Sports, VIP gift bags, and music by our celebrity DJ Catherine Oulette (a.k.a. “SynCity”).

RMDH serves to comfortably house cancer patients and their families while receiving treatments for life-threatening diseases.

83rd Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2009 has a new route! For the first time ever, the parade route will bypass Broadway and travel down 7th and 6th Avenue’s to Macy’s in Herald Square.

Stars joining the line-up include Bello, Grandma and the cast of the Big Apple Circus, Andrea Bocelli, Boys Like Girls, Alan Cumming, Billy Currington, DJ Lance Rock and the cast of Yo Gabba Gabba!, Jimmy Fallon and The Roots, Gloria Gaynor, Sarah Hughes, Kermit the Frog and Tiffany Thornton, Jane Krakowski, Cyndi Lauper, Ziggy Marley with Judah Marley, Katharine McPhee, Miss America 2009 – Katie Stam, the cast and Muppets of Sesame Street, Mitchel Musso, Keke Palmer, The Pizzarelli Quartet, Jay Sean and Carly Simon.

Enchantment returns this November as Macy’s magical procession of pomp and pageantry ushers in the holiday season at the 83rd Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. From the trumpeting of the time-honored phrase Let’s Have a Parade. to the first glimpse of one of Macy’s signature giant helium balloons, the march of whimsy will delight more than 3.5 million spectators lining the streets of Manhattan and more than 50 million viewers nationwide. America’s Parade steps to the beat of its own drums on Thursday, November 26th at 9:00 AM bringing with it 8,000 participants including the nation’s best marching bands, jaw-dropping performance groups, cheerleaders, clowns, giant balloons, fanciful floats and the biggest star of them all, the one-and-only Santa Claus.

From a small band of Macy’s employees gathered in 1924 to commemorate the holiday season to a tradition that has delighted millions for generations, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is truly an icon of American popular culture. Changing with the times from a Parade of floats, zoo animals, clowns and bands that marched down a more than 5- mile route to a Parade filled with giant helium balloon characters, celebrities, and more; the Macy’s Parade this year will mark yet another milestone moment. Having marched down parts of Broadway for 82 years, the 2009 procession will be the first to bypass Broadway in the history of the Parade. Over the years, the Macy’s Parade route has changed five times as it traveled through Manhattan. From the initial Harlem step-off site in the mid 1920s to its current 77th Street starting line, the Parade route has evolved with the city.

The 2009 Macy’s Parade will begin at 77th Street and Central Park West, travel down to Columbus Circle where it will turn onto Central Park South. Once the Parade reaches 7th Avenue it will turn once more and march down 7th Avenue through Times Square to 42nd Street. At the famed intersection, it will turn east to 6th Avenue and begin its final march down the Avenue of the Americas to 34th Street, where it will turn towards Macy’s famed flagship and end at 7th Avenue marking a 2.65-mile march.

“This is a milestone year for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade,” said Robin Hall, executive producer of Macy’s National Events. “Dramatic changes in the mid-town landscape will divert us for the first time from the fabled Broadway route we have followed since our first Parade in 1924. However, our course will remain true and the Parade will continue to entertain millions as Spider-Man returns to the sky and the first new Santa Float in almost half a century makes its debut.”

The 83rd Annual Macy’s Parade will be an unparalleled crowd-pleasing spectacle that features 1,500 cheerleaders, dancers, singers and performers; 800 clowns; 15 giant character helium balloons; 35 novelty/ornament balloons, balloonheads and balloonicles; 10 marching bands; 24 floats; and a host of celebrity performers.

Rise of the Giants
The sky above the streets of Manhattan will be alive once more filled with colorful friends as the Parade’s signature giant helium character balloons soar on Thanksgiving morning. The line-up of giants features a who’s who of children’s classic characters from comic book superheroes to the stars of television, films and American pop culture. New arrivals to the Thanksgiving Day balloonfest are everyone’s favorite neighborhood super-hero™, the web slinger himself, Spider-Man®; the ever cute and cuddly Pillsbury Doughboy®; America’s favorite clown Ronald McDonald®; and the top mouse on deck, Sailor Mickey Mouse.

Making a vaunted return to the Parade to complete the 15 giant balloon line-up are some of the nation’s most favorite characters including Abby Cadabby, Buzz Lightyear, Dora the Explorer™, Flying Ace Snoopy, Horton, Kermit the Frog™, Pikachu™, Shrek®, Smurf, SpongeBob SquarePants™ and Supercute Hello Kitty®. These giant balloons are only one portion of the buoyant procession; the Macy’s Parade also boasts 35 novelty/ornament balloons and balloonicles, which can range in size from 12 to 25 feet tall and give the line of march a tiered perspective. The Macy’s Parade features a team of Balloonatics – balloon experts who create, maintain and inflate the Parade’s balloon line up. A fun bunch, the Parade Balloonatics are known to give lessons in balloon speak to spectators every year. Two very important facts should be known when referring to the Parade’s giant helium characters. One is that although the Parade’s signature balloons seem to float in the air, they are indeed balloons – not floats. The second and most important is that Macy’s does not blow up the balloons – that would be very disappointing to millions who would not get to see them fly on Parade day…that’s why they are inflated!

Floating Scenes of Wonder
Riding down the street on Thanksgiving Day will be the Parade’s magical lineup of floats that feature landscapes of fantasy. These moving stages transport millions of spectators on unexpected journeys. The new float line-up includes a salute to the heroes in our everyday lives on the Local Heroes Helping Everyday float; a magical land where friends come to life to play and dance on the There’s A Party in My City float, and the first new Santa’s Sleigh in more than 40 years.

The dazzling stages that ride down the streets of New York City each year take months of painstaking work by the skilled artisans of the Macy’s Parade Studio. The gifted Studio team design and build each float from the ground up. Wood, foam and other materials are the skeleton that gives life to this fleet of fantasy. In addition to the three new stages, 21 floats will make a return appearance to the line up this Thanksgiving.

The returning float roster includes 123 Sesame Street, Big Apple, Bridge To The Future, Bountiful Harvest Cornucopia, The Care Bears™ Winter Fun-derland, Castle of Dreams, Cele-bear-ate Hugs Worldwide, Doodlebug, Jolly Polly Pirate Ship, M&M’s® Chocolate Candies on Broadway, Marion-Carol Showboat, Musical Innovation Bigger Than Life, Pep Squad, Shine On, The Smurfs™, Snoopy’s Doghouse, Spirit of Liberty, Tom Turkey, The True Spirit of Thanksgiving, Winter Wonderland in Central Park and Woodland Family Gathering. In addition, the famed Speed Racer Mach 5 will be making a special appearance in the line of march this year.

Drum Roll Please
Strike up the band and pump up the volume, as the Parade’s signature marching bands hit the perfect rhythm this Thanksgiving. The musical heartbeat of the Parade, the marching bands and students representing their home states in this year’s holiday spectacular are the nation’s highest caliber musical and marching talents. Ready to step to the beat are Adair County High School from Columbia, Kentucky; Frank W. Ballou Senior High School from Washington, DC; Choctawhatchee High School from Fort Walton Beach, FL; Franklin Regional High School from Murrysville, PA; Harrison High School from Kennesaw, GA; Morgantown High School from Morgantown, WV; Pickerington Central High School from Pickerington, OH; Pittsburg High School from Pittsburg, CA; Towson University from Towson, MD; and Macy’s Great American Marching Band featuring students from all fifty states.

Taking Center Stage
Adding pomp, cheer, spins, flips and dips to the holiday revelry are some of the nation’s best performance groups. From the cheerleaders to a one-of-a kind group of peddlers, the Parade features a host of unique performers. Set to wow the crowds are performers from the Big Apple Circus, Chinese American Community Center Folk Dance Troupe, Mike Miller Dance Team, NETSational Seniors & NETS Kids Dance Team, The Purple Peddlers, Varsity Spirit, Spirit of Long Island Mounted Drill Team, Stagedoor Manor, and USA Jump Rope.

Stars on 34th Street
Celebrating the start of the holiday season will be performers from stage, screen and music riding down the streets of New York City to Macy’s famed home on 34th Street. The stars joining the line-up include Bello, Grandma and the cast of the Big Apple Circus, Andrea Bocelli, Boys Like Girls, Alan Cumming, Billy Currington, DJ Lance Rock and the cast of Yo Gabba Gabba!, Jimmy Fallon and The Roots, Gloria Gaynor, Sarah Hughes, Kermit the Frog and Tiffany Thornton, Jane Krakowski, Cyndi Lauper, Ziggy Marley with Judah Marley, Katharine McPhee, Miss America 2009 – Katie Stam, the cast and Muppets of Sesame Street, Mitchel Musso, Keke Palmer, The Pizzarelli Quartet, Jay Sean and Carly Simon.

Nationwide Star
From coast to coast, Americans will gather around the television to share in the magic of the Parade via the national broadcast on NBC-TV. One of the nation’s most viewed events, NBC’s Emmy® Award winning telecast of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will be hosted by TODAY’s Matt Lauer, Meredith Viera and Al Roker. The telecast will air from 9:00 AM to 12 Noon in each of the four time zones in the continental United States. Star power on Thanksgiving morning will include performances from some of the hottest Broadway shows including Billy Elliot, Bye Bye Birdie, Hair, and Shrek. In addition, the world-famous Radio City Rockettes® will return to kick in the start of the holiday season.

A Holiday Treat for Children Everywhere, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade’s finale features the biggest star of all, the one-and-only Santa Claus. As his sleigh comes into view, Macy’s will wish everyone “Happy Holidays” and a “Merry Christmas.”

Source and Photos: Macy’s

Enjoy!

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Ready, set, lift off of Macy’s famed giant helium balloon characters in the 83rd Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade®. This Thanksgiving Day the magic in the sky will once again wow millions of spectators as beloved characters return to the balloon line-up. Featuring a star-studded list of American pop culture favorites from a friendly neighborhood super-hero to a world-famous mouse, the stars of Macy’s Parade are transformed from pencil sketches to larger-than-life forms via a sprinkling of magic from the stars at Macy’s Parade Studio.

A Ballooning Tradition
Dating back to the 1927 edition of the holiday spectacle, Macy’s giant character balloons have featured a who’s who of characters from film, television, comic strips, and cartoons. From the very first inflatable of Felix the Cat to the four new giants –Pillsbury Doughboy®, Ronald McDonald®, Sailor Mickey, and Spider-Man® – the Macy’s Parade has brought to life 157 of the most recognizable characters in history during its 83 editions.

Balloonatics
Before the giant balloons inspire awe on Parade day, they start on a drafting table at Macy’s Parade Studio. There, the Parade team of “Balloonatics” transforms a well-known character into a high-flying wonder. A pencil sketch of the character is the first step in the creation process. This concept sketch showcases the character in balloon form, taking into consideration aerodynamic, engineering and aesthetic points. Under the direction of John Piper, lead designer of Macy’s Parade Studio, the Balloonatic team takes that initial pencil sketch through a months-long process that encompasses concept, aerodynamic and aesthetic design, construction and final test flights. The building process includes creation of clay and painted models, and of course, the cutting and sealing of fabric into chambers that will produce the final balloon. Macy’s conducts the high-tech process in collaboration with aerodynamic and engineering consultants, Aerostar, who together calculate the balloon design’s aerodynamics, buoyancy, and lift. Once the balloon has been created it will undergo many tests including indoor and outdoor test flights, inflation and deflation tests and final touch-ups before taking flight on Parade day.

On Saturday, November 7th, before their official Thanksgiving Day debut, the new giant character balloons take to the sky for a final test flight at Macy’s Balloonfest. At this outdoor event, each balloon’s Pilot and Captain, and the flight management team of twelve, guide hundreds of handlers as they fly the balloon in an extreme real world setting. Once the balloons have been awarded their flight wings, they will receive a comprehensive final check-up that may include air inflation tests, cleaning and paint touch-ups before the big day.

Following is the Complete Cast of Giant Helium Character Balloons in the 83rd annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade:

ABBY CADABBY
SESAME WORKSHOP®
With her wand at the ready, Abby Cadabby, the inquisitive fairy-in-training returns to the Parade for another magical flight down the streets of New York City. Originally from Fairyside, Queens, Abby will be right at home with the crowd cheering her on as she helps ring in the holidays and celebrate the 40th birthday of Sesame Street. Although Abby is still somewhat magically challenged, she is sure to delight millions of Parade spectators with her enchanting antics. Standing at 56-feet long, 37.5-feet wide, and 48.5-feet high, Abby is filled with 16,100 cubic feet of helium as she bounds happily down the route.

BUZZ LIGHTYEAR
DISNEY•PIXAR
Buzz Lightyear, the fearless Space Ranger from Disney•Pixar’s Toy Story trilogy, returns to the Parade for another trip to Herald Square and Beyond! The larger-than-life hero measures 67.7-feet long, 39.9-feet wide and 34.3-feet tall. On Thanksgiving Day, Buzz will be ready for the adventure with his jet pack guiding him down the route. From his green and purple space boots all the way up to his protective helmet, which is 17-feet in diameter, Buzz Lightyear is sure to create a big buzz for millions of Parade spectators.

DORA THE EXPLORER™
NICKELODEON
The adventure-loving, Latina heroine Dora the Explorer™ returns to the Macy’s Parade this Thanksgiving for a high-flying expedition as the Nickelodeon heroine prepares to celebrate her 10-year anniversary next year. As always, Dora will be waving ¡Hola! to the crowds on her way to 34th Street along with her trusty friends Backpack and Map. Filled with 14,250 cubic feet of helium, Dora measures 43.5-feet in length, 39-feet in width and 55-feet tall. A skilled explorer, Dora will lead her team of balloon handlers to Macy’s Herald Square, where she will be sure to exclaim, We did it! ¡Lo Hicimos! at the end of her journey.

FLYING ACE SNOOPY
UNITED FEATURE SYNDICATE
Snoopy, the extroverted beagle with a Walter Mitty complex returns to the line-up as the Flying Ace. Snoopy is celebrating PEANUTS® 60th Anniversary and is marking a record 34th appearance in the Macy’s Parade. Holding binoculars and sporting an aviator hat, goggles and a red scarf, Snoopy is ready for another showdown with the dreaded Red Baron. Once again ready for the challenge standing at 52-feet high, 25-feet wide and 49.5-feet long and filled with 15,000 cubic feet of helium; Flying Ace Snoopy is a beagle with a mission on Parade day.

HORTON
TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX HOME ENTERTAINMENT
The wonderful Whos of Whoville are back in town taking a ride down Manhattan with their giant protector, Horton the Elephant, from the movie Horton Hears A Who. Keeping his eyes firmly planted on the delicate clover protectively wrapped in his trunk, Horton will take flight once again measuring 59.8-feet long, 31.8-feet wide and 43.4-feet tall on his return Parade voyage. With toenails the size of large beach balls, and ears that could cover a large van, Horton is filled with 14,060 cubic feet of helium on Thanksgiving Day.

KERMIT THE FROG™
THE MUPPETS STUDIO
Kermit the Frog, the world’s most famous amphibian, takes Manhattan again in the 2009 Macy’s Parade. Kermit the Frog™ stands “slightly” larger-than-life, flying over New York City at 78-feet long, 36-feet wide, 60-feet tall and filled with 11,000 cubic feet of helium. They say it’s not easy being green, but Kermit sure makes it look easy as he flies triumphantly down the route this Thanksgiving, to the roaring cheers of his many fans, friends – and maybe even a few of his fellow frogs.

PIKACHU™
THE POKÉMON COMPANY INTERNATIONAL
That rosy glow coming from Pikachu’s cheeks is not from the November chill, but from the electricity stored inside. Pikachu, the most recognizable character of the Pokémon® universe, returns to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade chasing after a Poké Ball. Charged for another electrifying trip, Pikachu, stands at 53.5-feet high, 36.9-feet wide and is 40.8-feet long, and filled with 15,000 cubic feet of helium.

PILLSBURY DOUGHBOY®
PILLSBURY®
The new Pillsbury Doughboy® balloon makes its Macy’s Parade debut in larger-than-life form, far outgrowing his normal 8¾-inch frame. On Thanksgiving Day, the Doughboy will march down the route with his arms outstretched and his bright blue eyes shining ready to ring in the holidays. At more than 63 times his traditional size, the Doughboy balloon will measure 53.7-feet in length, 34.4-feet in width and will be 46.4-feet tall. This Doughboy will rise to the occasion filled with 12,280 cubic feet of helium.

RONALD McDONALD®
McDONALD’S®
Ronald McDonald® first made his Macy’s Parade debut in 1966, holding a bouquet of party balloons that had taken him on a Thanksgiving joy ride. In 2001, a second Ronald McDonald balloon made its Parade debut flying down the streets of Manhattan bringing joy and laughter to millions. This year, Ronald is in a playful mood and has strapped on the world’s largest pair of ice skates for a fun-filled holiday activity. Measuring 76.4-feet long, 28.8-feet wide and 48.6-feet tall, Ronald will be inflated with 13,650 cubic feet of helium on Parade day.

SAILOR MICKEY
DISNEY CRUISE LINE
Ahoy matey! Get on board the ultimate family cruise with Sailor Mickey at the helm. Sporting his nautically-inspired red, white and blue sailor gear, Mickey will salute the crowds as he rides down the Parade route. Sailing aboard an anchor that is approximately four times the size of an actual cruise ship anchor, Mickey measures 48.1-feet long, 33.6-feet wide and 60.9-feet tall. Sailor Mickey will be filled with 14,750 cubic feet of helium on his maiden voyage on Thanksgiving Day.

SHREK®
DREAMWORKS ANIMATION
A giant ogre from Far Far Away will be returning to the sky over Manhattan once again this Thanksgiving. The truly larger-than-life Shrek® will take a break from life in his beloved swamp to help welcome in the holiday season. Everything Shrek does is ogre the top and his giant balloon is no exception standing at 44-feet tall, 47-feet long and 39.3-feet wide. Dressed in his signature woodsman outfit complete with oatmeal sweater, plaid pants and brown vest, Shrek will be filled with over 14,130 cubic feet of helium for his third trip through the Big Apple.

SMURF
LAFIG BELGIUM / SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT
The sky will most definitely be blue this Thanksgiving as the giant Smurf balloon returns for another smurferrific holiday trip. The loveable Smurf will wave hello to all his friends as he flies through Manhattan, to the sounds of Happy Thanksmurfday! Measuring 57.6-feet long, 38.7-feet wide and 47-feet tall, the whimsical Smurf is filled with 15,050 cubic feet of helium on Parade day.

SPIDER-MAN®
MARVEL ENTERTAINMENT
Millions of New Yorkers will feel their Spider-senses tingling on Thanksgiving morning when New York’s own neighborhood Super Hero™, Marvel’s Spider-Man®, makes a triumphant return to the skies over Manhattan to ensnare a new generation of fans. After a decade, the legendary crime-fighting web-slinger returns to the Parade line-up in celebration of Marvel’s 70th Anniversary. Spider-Man made his Macy’s Parade debut in 1987, becoming an instant classic. The new, more modern and muscular Spidey is in full crawling mode with one hand set to release his web. On Parade day, the Spider-Man balloon will measure 78-feet long, 37.8-feet wide and 29.1-feet tall and will be filled with 11,800 cubic feet of helium.

SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS™
NICKELODEON
Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS! On Thanksgiving Day SpongeBob SquarePants™ will take a break from the Krusty Krab and leave Bikini Bottom to soak up the sights, sounds and fun of the Big Apple. Celebrating his 10th Anniversary this year, SpongeBob returns to the Parade for his fifth flight. Macy’s Parade’s first-ever square balloon will absorb more than 16,200 cubic feet of helium to fly down the route. Dressed in his signature white shirt, red tie and brown square pants, SpongeBob stands at 62-feet high, 38-feet wide and 28-feet long. Although it may appear square the SpongeBob SquarePants balloon isn’t square at all, he is actually a single chamber sphere, intricately made square-shaped by more than 600 internal tie-lines.

“SUPERCUTE” HELLO KITTY®
SANRIO®
Returning to the line-up and celebrating her 35th Anniversary this year is Sanrio’s Supercute Hello Kitty. Hello Kitty will take flight dressed in her Supercute superhero outfit, complete with cape and tiara to complement her trademark red bow. Standing at 33.6-feet tall, 34.8-feet wide and 45-feet long, Hello Kitty will soar over the Big Apple bringing smiles to her millions of fans.

The following is a complete list of the supporting cast of Balloonicles, novelty/mid-sized and small balloons:

ARRTIE THE PIRATE
Returning to the line-up is everyone’s favorite one-eyed seafarer – Arrtie the Pirate. A recreation of the classic Pirate balloon of 1947, Arrtie stands at 36-feet tall and is filled with 3,600 cubic feet of helium easily plundered from various tanks. With map in hand, Arrtie is on a search for holiday treasure this Thanksgiving.

BASEBALL
Featuring a signature from R.H. Macy himself, the world’s largest baseball is destined to be hit right out of the park this Thanksgiving. Measuring 12-feet in height, this giant baseball is filled with over 900 cubic feet of helium on Parade day.

BASKETBALL
A brand new Basketball balloon is here to cheer on Macy’s All Stars. At 15-feet in diameter, this Basketball giant will be dribbling down the route filled with 1,766 cubic feet of helium.

BEACH BALL CLUSTER
A bright bouquet of balloons adds color and brings smiles to children everywhere. The Macy’s Parade Balloon Cluster returns to the line up with the biggest, brightest beach balls ever seen in New York. With a height of 25-feet and filled with 2,858 cubic feet of helium, the balloon cluster is sure to be a big holiday treat.

BIG MAN SANTA
UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT
The star of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is the big man himself – Santa Claus. To pay tribute to his star status, Macy’s Parade Studio magicians have created a fantastic new balloon depicting the cheery man himself with a rather jolly belly, this time full of helium. Big Man Santa will make his Parade debut before heading south for the winter to star in Macy’s Holiday Parade at Universal Orlando®.

CANDY CANES
Kids will scream in delight wishing they could get their hands on these sweet treats. These 20-foot tall Candy Canes are a holiday favorite on a sky-high sugar rush.

CHLOE THE HOLIDAY CLOWN
A Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade staple, Chloe the Holiday Clown returns for another trip down New York City. At 28.5-feet tall and 18-feet wide, Chloe is filled with 2,242 cubic feet of helium.

ENERGIZER BUNNY®
ENERGIZER®
America’s favorite battery-powered pink bunny returns to the Parade this year to drum up some more holiday spirit. The Energizer Bunny® balloonicle is unstoppable, taking another super cool trip down the Parade route, wearing his favorite sunglasses and 45 EEE sized flip-flops. Marching to the beat of his own drum, he’ll be the king of stocking stuffers this holiday season. With all the power that the Energizer Bunny brings to the party fun, the holiday season will keep going long after he crosses the finish line.

FRIEDA THE DACHSHUND
It’s a dog’s life for Frieda the Dachshund as she returns for another year of playing fetch along the route. At 21-feet tall and 53-feet-long, Frieda may just be the world’s largest dachshund.

GEOMETRIC BALLOONS
Icosahedrons rule! For the mathematically challenged, each of the two brand new Geometric balloons are a 20 sided polygon made up of equilateral triangles. These icosahedrons measure 16-feet in height and will be filled with 1,700 cubic feet of helium.

HAROLD THE FIREMAN
Who better to salute the city’s bravest, the men and women of the New York Fire Department, and lead the Fire Brigade Clowns down the route than that lovable character Harold the Fireman! Originally seen in the Parade of 1948, Harold is a recreation of the original balloon. At a height of 32-feet, New Yorkers can rest assured that he will keep a watchful eye over the city. Harold is supported in the air by 2,800 cubic feet of helium, which makes blowing out fires a breeze.

KIT, CHARLIE & C.J. ELF
The Gnome Balloons from the 1940s and early ‘50s have been recreated and are now Parade standards. Kit, Charlie & C.J. Elf are back for another Thanksgiving Day jaunt. At 34-feet high, 18.5-feet wide, and filled with 2,100 cubic feet of helium, these novelty balloons give a new meaning to the word “elf.”

MACY’S STARS
Macy’s is the star of the Parade as its signature five-pointed star flies high in a variety of colors and configurations. Celebrating the famed red star that guided R.H. Macy to shore during his days as a seaman, the Macy’s star still shines today.

MACY’S ORNAMENT BALLOONS
Macy’s knows how to accessorize the holidays! From Poinsettias, Pumpkins and Snow Crystals to the Stars & Stripes, Macy’s ornament balloons add a splendid touch to the holiday palette.

PLANET EARTH
At 14-feet wide, Macy’s Planet Earth recreation is not nearly as big as the original, but still as breathtaking.

STRAWBERRY/PISTACHIO ICE CREAM CONE
Looking very delicious, the Strawberry/Pistachio Ice cream cone balloon stands 30-feet tall, top to cone tip and is a scrumptious treat for the sweet toothed crowds.

Source and Photo: Macy’s

Enjoy!

If you place an order for virtual office service online via our secure order form, please note that orders completed on a Holiday will be reviewed the following business day.

Make sure to check out our specials page for November’s NYC virtual office promotion.

With regards,
The Team at VH International Business Solutions, Inc.

Please contact us with any questions:
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Seriously, have you seen Carrot Top lately?  He’s kinda scary.  I saw him a few months back on an episode of Family Jewels with Gene Simmons and the guy is seriously turning into plastic and is so pumped full of steroids?

Here he looks like Ronald McDonald (minus the Big Mac and Chicken McNuggets) if he ever got fired from McDonald’s and went to work for a health club.

Here he’s pulling a Lt. Dan  That’s just not right!

I think he wants to turn into Kathy Griffin.

Do you think if Griffin and Carrot Top had a baby it would look like this?

What celebrity do you think has had too much plastic surgery?

Sorry, Ronald McDonald’s out sick today. How may I help you?

(Heath Ledger)

In terms of scariness, it’s a toss up.

Picture by: dunno source Caption by: Lucy via Our LOL Builder

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Rich Rodriguez has unfairly faced constant criticism. I don’t understand how in such a short time, hes alienated himself from a program. Despite bringing in a top 10 recruiting class, and small signs of progress being shown, Michigan fans want blood now.

They need to look at programs such as Nebraska, Miami or even Flor…..

You know what? Screw this. That whole Michigan scene can suck it right now.

I want to talk about a life changing moment. An epiphany that struck me upon discovering the existence of
THE EVIL GRIMACE. I didn’t know that there was an EVIL GRIMACE. I thought THE GRIMACE was ALWAYS the friendly “special needs” friend of Ronald McDonald.
But as you will see in this 1970 ad, EVIL GRIMACE was also special needs…

….Horrifying….
I know there was a lot of drugs done in that time but even the advertising squad for McDonalds or rather “The Man” of fast food, had to be baked out of their minds! I would like to experiment with some of the drugs necessary to envision and enact this commercial but I likely wouldn’t live through the night. I’m not off base to speculate drug use either. In 1973, the creators of Hn’R Pufnstuf, sued McDonalds for their “McDonaldsland” add, which you seen a prime example of above. It’s hard to naturally come up with the idea of a giant, fat, retarded purple “taste bud”, with googly eyes and four arms, who always needed to steal coke and get the shakes. If you do have that strong of an imagination, I admire you.

Also, I do not appreciate what a coy dick Ronald McDonald was to EVIL GRIMACE. I have no respect for his game at all. While EVIL GRIMACE did steal coke and shakes from children, he obviously had cognitive challenges, which lead to a corrupted view of social norms. EVIL GRIMACE was the victim, not the children. With how easily he could had been out smarted, Ronald had no need to exploit his ghastly appearance, and insecurities by telling him he was entered in a McDonaldsland beauty contest. If it’s that easy you back off. I liken it to how the Steelers treated the Lions with kid gloves earlier this season.

The McDonald’s corp. obviously felt some guilt from this matter. Aligning with the lawsuit they lost against the Hn’R Pufnstuf stoners, they had to change things up. EVIL GRIMACE was no more and he was changed to become Ronald McDonald’s best friend, to show that you need to help the mentally challenged, not exploit them. Also they dropped two of his arms, to give him the standard two. Which also displayed that there is no room for freaks in this world.

A benefit to the demise of the EVIL GRIMACE, was the edition of Uncle O’Grimacey, who in theory replaced the EVIL GRIMACE’s extra pair of arms. Uncle O’Grimacey appears once a year to deliver Shamrock shakes to THE GRIMACE. While I do support Uncle O’Grimacey, I do not support the goods he delivers. Shamrock shakes are gross.

…sorry. What do you see, when you look at this picture?

A. The Tubby Temptress going for a refill. Six for her, one for Steve Phillips.
B. Charlie Weiss hoarding for unemployment.
C. A disgruntled Mayor McCheese.
D. A poster for the new hit family film “The Blindside: The story of Michael Oher.”
E. How Grady Jackson spent last Sunday.

It’s just too easy, maybe I should back off.

Obviously THE GRIMACE has been a topic and the show before and that is partially why he is a topic in this blog. The other reason is because you cant deny THE GRIMACE…

…because nothing can kill THE GRIMACE.

Bildet er lånt fra www.likecool.com

Vurderer du å bytte jobb? Kanskje begynne i den såkalte restaurantbransjen? Dette kan være noe for deg som ikke helt vet om du er god nok til å delta i Masterchef på TV3, som ikke gidder å starte ditt eget sted, som ikke har noen utdannelse innen kokkeyrket, men som allikevel ønsker å jobbe med noe som under tvil kan kalles mat. Nå ansetter de nemlig folk på MCDonalds Guantanamo.

Arbeit Macht frei!
Du må selvsagt være villig til å flytte. Sannsynligvis må du green card til USA også, selv om det teknisk sett ligger på Cuba. Jobben din på McDonalds, Guantanamo, vil blant annet bestå i å servere burgere og chips til fangene på Guantanamo Bay. Jobbannonsen ble nylig publisert på nettsidene til McVirginia.com. Man trenger visstnok ingen sikkerhetsklarering for jobben, og når det gjelder erfaring så er det vel ingen hemmelighet at ethvert kjøtthue lære seg å steke burgere og chips, men det kreves at du er villig til å både bo og arbeide innenfor militærbasen hvor det er ca. 6000 personer som oppholder seg.

Noen fakta
Kundegruppen vil bestå av ansatte i marinen og deres familier, 215 terrormistenkte fanger og deres vakter, og hundrevis av jamaicanske og fillipinske gjestearbeidere. Restauranten har holdt til der siden 1986 og er en del av McDonalds Franchisekonsept, ifølge talsmann Danya Proud. Vakter ved Guantanamo har tidligere uttalt at de tillot etterforskere å medbringe Big Macs og chips inn til fangene, i et forsøk på å “myke de opp” (eller kanskje fete de opp?), slik at de ville være mer samarbeidsvillige i kampen mot muslimske terrorister.

Muslimene skal fetes opp? Bilde: sharenator.com

Nå som nikkedukken Obama sier at han vil tømme fengselet for fanger, og sende alt det ekstremistiske, islamske bunnfallet til Europa, får de innsatte lov til å bestille takeaway fra Mac’ern som blir bragt inn til de av fangevokterne. Den som begynner i denne stillingen burde med andre ord utnytte den glimrende muligheten til å slenge masse bacon på bestillingene til de muslimske fangene.

Kilde: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/americas/guantanamo/story/1327184.html

Guantanamo i norske medier: tv2nyhetene.no

Ladies and gentlemen, there are certain questions in life that everyone asks, but no one seems to have all the answers to.  These questions are often contentious ones, and discussion of such questions invariably leads to flying fists and ruptured relations.  One such question came up at last week’s As Yet Unnamed Comedy Show (Tuesday nights at Eastside Tavern, 9:30ish), and, try as I might have to stop the bedlam, I could do nothing.  Now, in the safety of my own home, as someone who genuinely knows the answer to the question, I feel behooved to settle this once and for all.

I’m referring, of course, to the question of “what the fuck was going on with the old McDonalds advertising?”

Now, I accept that this is a big question, so I will break it down into smaller questions that will combine to tell you all you need to know about McDonaldland and its many happy inhabitants.

1) What was the Grimace?

Someone at the show last week was of the mind that the Grimace was a milkshake, but this person (you know who you are) is a damn fool.  While it is true that the Grimace loved the milkshakes, he is in fact a tastebud, that is inexplicably purple and ambulatory.  He was originally intended to be Ronald McDonald’s nemesis, but this didn’t test well, so they made him Ronald’s retarded flunky.

2) Did the Grimace have any relatives?

I’m so glad you asked.  In fact, the Grimace had an uncle named O’Grimacey, who lived in Ireland and looked a lot like the mucus beings from the Mucinex commercials.

He would come visit the Grimace for a month every March, and would bring with him the native Irish treat, the Shamrock Shake.

I have a couple problems with this aspect of the McDonaldland mythology.  First, it seems impossible to me that he could transport a month’s worth of Shamrock Shakes across the ocean in any way other than by oil tanker, and even then, that’s only realistic if McDonaldland is located on a coast.  Second,  how does it make sense that this guy from Ireland would choose to take a vacation every year around the stereotypical Irish holiday?  Where better to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day than Ireland?  Would the Grimace’s uncle from Rio come down for a month around Carnivale?  Would said hypothetical uncle bring with him rice and beans or coxinhas, the popular Brazilian chicken croquette?  It doesn’t add up is all I’m saying.

3) What was the deal with the Hamburgler?

When he was 6, he was molested by Burger Beagle, the criminal hamburger enthusiast from Duck Tales.

4) Where did the McDonaldland campaign really lose it?

The campaign undoubtedly went way off the rails when they introduced the character CosMc.

CosMc was a many-armed alien who talked like Matthew McConaughey.  He lived on the moon, which made no fucking sense.  How did Ronald McDonald make it to the moon?  Don’t you tell me it’s magic.  I don’t believe in that shit.

5) What’s the difference between Officer Big Mac and Mayor McCheese?

Lettuce, special sauce, and one bun.  Also, Officer Big Mac makes considerably more money than Mayor McCheese, mostly because he was on the grift.

I hope this has cleared things up for you a bit, and that this question never causes another fight like the one that broke out at the last As Yet Unnamed Comedy Show (Tuesdays, Eastside Tavern).  Sweet lord, we’re lucky we all made it out alive.  

If you have any further questions regarding McDonaldland, feel free to drop them in the comments section.

Icelanders Say Bye Bye  Big Mac

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Iceland-says-goodbye-to-the-apf-2609404079.html?x=0&.v=6

Tanto e tanto tempo fa, è uscito un docu-film dal titolo  Super Size Me che trattava della mala alimentazione professata ed esportata dalla catena di fast food McDonald’s. Io e Andre boicottiamo quella catena da un pezzo, più o meno dal 2000, da quando, cioè abbiamo scoperto le condizioni vergognose in cui operano le persone che vi lavorano, dello sfruttamento delle colture incentivato dal marchio e, non ultimo, dalla scarsa qualità del cibo offerto.

Siamo stati contenti, quindi, che una persona qualunque, un uomo comune e per giunta americano, abbia avuto il coraggio di sottoporsi ad una dieta mensile esclusivamente McDonaldiana per dimostrare attraverso esami clinici, il reale rischio di quella alimentazione.

Dopo avere visto il film ci siamo sentiti sconvolti; sì, sapevamo l’entità del male, ma non immaginavamo le conseguenze che la catena aveva sul suolo americano. La pubblicità ed il merchandise vario sono talmente radicati e potenti da occultare le informazioni, dimostrare di essere al di sopra del bene comune e distorcere la realtà.

La scena che mi ricorderò sempre con maggiore dolore (più o meno a 4 minuti e57 di questo filmato, anche se vi consiglio di guardarlo tutto) sono le interviste ai bambini. Dimostra chiaramente come e quanto questa catena alimentare  influenzi le menti di chi non ha ancora gli strumenti per sciegliere consapevolmente.

Il McDonald è arrivato nella nostra città quando io avevo più o meno 16 anni, quando cioè, la mia famiglia mi aveva già alimentato in modo sano per un sacco di tempo; queste personcine però, soffriranno terribilmente per le conseguenze della loro mala alimentazione. Noi pensiamo che McDonald sia come il cancro nascosto nelle sigarette, un male latente, che non si percepisce finchè emerge all’improvviso, sottoforma di malattia rovinando la tua vita e quella dei tuoi cari.

Basta McDonald!

Elly

Nota: avrei voluto aggiungere nel post che ogni singolo pezzo di carne (hamburger, mc nuggets etc.)  è composto da MILIONI di pezzi di animali diversi, cioè da più parti di animali della stessa specie e “corretto” con conservanti,  acidificanti e zucchero (aspartame)  per il sapore. Questo significa che chi mangia da McDonald ingurgita tutto, ma proprio tutto dell’animale: pelle, cartilagini varie, un pochino di carne  e probabilmente non lo sa. Ma fa troppo schifo per dirlo.

Supersize my fist in your ass motherfucker! Eat my shit you fucking cocksucking Hamburgler. Take that. *POW* <pushes face into Mayor McCheese’s crotch> Now eat it. Fuck your lactose intolerance. Eat his cheese!

Species Name: Creepyasfuckicus Childmolestius

Seeing as Halloween is tomorrow, it seemed only fitting to conquer my fear of the one thing in this world that terrifies me more than scientologists, CLOWNS.  Ever since I was a child, these fuckers have haunted my nightmares.  From Bozo to Pennywise to Homie the Clown, I don’t care, I hate them all.  What shithead thought these painted up child molesters would be enjoyable to children?  Everything about them is evil.  The painted white face, the bright red nose, that fucking creepy circus music that follows them wherever they go. I would much rather face Freddy Krueger, Jason Vorhees, and Michael Myers in a Battle Royale any day of the week over being in a dark alley with this fucker:

Georgie!  What the fuck are you thinking?!? Don’t take that goddamn balloon!  But see, that’s the problem, clowns are the worst because they prey on the innocence and naivete of children, making them that much more fucked up.  I know I’m not alone in my fear of clowns, so consider this thinning the herd as a public service and type of therapy for those of you plagued by night terrors brought on by these assholes.

In a world where clowns didn’t exist to send grown men running and screaming in terror:

• We wouldn’t have to worry about a group of KILLER CLOWNS FROM OUTER SPACE coming to Earth, turning us into cotton candy cocoons and sucking out our blood with a straw.

• I wouldn’t have needed rubber sheets on my bed as a child…and as an adult.
• John Wayne Gacy would’ve had to rely on his inherent creepiness as a serial killer instead of hiding behind makeup.

• Parents would no better than to let this molester anywhere near their kids.  He wants more then a hug…

• John Leguizamo would never have donned a fat suit in Spawn to somehow manage to make clowns even creepier

• I wouldn’t have to carry my 9MM at all times if I hadn’t seen this piece of psychotic shit:

• Everytime you see a Smart Car, you wouldn’t be worried about how many clowns are inside of it.
• The sound of circus music wouldn’t elicit a Pavlovian response in me to piss myself.

I dream of the day that I don’t have to live in  fear of a clown hiding in the bushes, waiting to steal my soul, or what semblance of a soul I have left.  See the problem is that it is common knowledge how scary clowns are, so there is definitely no end in sight to their reign of terror.  Expect them to be a common fixture in movies, television, and your psyche for years to come.  Although we can take solace in this clip, as a way to know that it is possible to overcome your fear of clowns…even zombie clowns:

So kids, if you see a zombie clown out tomorrow night while trick-or-treating, make sure you smash it’s face in with a large rubber mallet.  Fuck you clown.  Happy Halloween!

But one has to have dreams right?

Don't trust him...he's still evil...

Whilst driving last night I happened upon a group of PETA protesters at a McDonald’s. I couldn’t resist getting out and taking shots when I saw the protesters wearing Ronald McDonald masks. They were distorted to remind of the evil clown in Stepen King’s ‘It’. What I found interesting was that they were not trying to convince people not to eat McDonald’s food but simply persuade McDonald’s to use their clout to pressure their chicken suppliers to use different, less brutal methods of slaughtering the chickens. Is there anything wrong with wanting to eat a chicken that has not been mangled and mutilated before it died? Road kill of any type is not too appealing.

So, my dilemma…when is it okay to dash a young boy’s hopes? When can I crush his little dreams? When can I tell him about the EVILS of Corporate America??

Monopoly is fun, right?!

Garrett is INTO Mickey D’s Monopoly. Collecting the little game pieces, entering them online, strategizing w/his friends…can’t believe just how cool this game is! He only needs Park Place to win $1 million!  How hard could that be??  Only needs to buy an Angus Burger and he could win an Xbox 360!  Life is sweet, no?

Can I tell him, ‘Son, you will NEVER win’??  Can I say ‘NO ONE wins’??  Can I tell him it’s just another marketing ploy?  That the evil clown Ronald McDonald is just trying to sell more stuff??  (and his mother, sad consumer that she is, is BUYING his crap lol)

He is EVIL! Evil I tell you!

He’s 11.  Is it time to be a man??

Thoughts?  I guess I am going to buy a Diet Coke (or 10) anyway, right? Should I let him play and be disillusioned?

So, there is no Santa?  (just kidding!  Of course there is a Santa) AND Ronnie McD is a sleazy corporate shill? Say it isn’t so!

Thoughts???

Ray Salomone, Personal Trainer and Wellness Activist

 From Reykjavik, Iceland

Because of the collapse of the local currency, the Icelandic Krona, it was announced this week that all three McDonald’s Restaurants on the island nation will close, effective immediately.

While this may seem as yet another financial blow to this beautiful country and its wonderful people, this news should be greeted with a national day of celebration.

I clearly remember when they opened a McDonald’s in the German village where I was stationed in the US Army. The youth cheered as the statute of Ronald McDonald was raised. The middle aged and elderly cried in the streets, knowing that another part of their culture was lost.

By rejecting McDonald’s and other unhealthy foods, Icelanders can return to their incredibly healthy ethnic diet and regain their wellness. Unlike most other industrial nations, the damage isn’t irreversible.

Now, if the rest of the planet will take Iceland’s lead and duplicate this measure we would have some real progress.

 Ray Salomone   Personal Trainer and Wellness Activist

www.GrecoRomanWellness.com

Blog: www.GrecoRomanWellness.wordpress.com

The Most Provocative Wellness Blog on the Planet

Eat Fresh, Whole Foods. Exercise Intensely

PLAY ROUGH AND LIVE LIKE YOU MEAN IT!!!

 Contact Me Directly at: Ray@GrecoRomanWellness.com

Coming Soon to bookstores:

The Greco Roman Road to Wellness  by Ray Salomone and Dr. Katina Ioannidis

Amazon link:

http://www.amazon.com/Greco-Roman-Road-Wellness-Old-World-Times/dp/0982139209/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1243604904&sr=8-1

During my vast amounts of free time, I am also a fiction writer. My first novel, PEACE BE WITH YOU, a psychological drama of addiction and redemption, was published in 2007.

This is the Amazon link:

http://www.amazon.com/Peace-Be-You-Raimondo-Salomone/dp/142414812X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1256656950&sr=8-1

My next novel, HUMAN TRAFFIC, a story of love and vengeance, will be finished sometime in the next decade.

If you have no idea what I’m talking about, read the previous 3 posts.  I haven’t the time to explain.  Kudos to Nick Riportella for kick-starting this idea that brings back memories of “We Didn’t Start the Fire”.  I have had an evening that lends itself nicely to releasing an assortment of random ideas.  I hope you enjoy this as much as I do.

The Everything Song

This is a song for all the random things
Faulty fake IDs that land you in jail
This is the anthem for all the starving children
Buy this CD and add some salt and pepper

I’m not calling for a youth movement
But more reruns of Home Improvement
Tim Taylor was truly the man of the hour
To see a dishwasher and say, “More power!”

Calling all formerly famous sitcom actors
David Schwimmer, Jason Alexander
Dave Coulier, never afraid of a Full House of danger
And that guy who played Balki on Perfect Strangers

Wash the bedsheets and tear open the curtains
Let the sunshine of the moonlight wash over your bald spot
Comb over the strands of piano wire, make music to my ears
You’ll be lost in the ballroom, that’s for certain

I’m not saying we should all get along, good grief
I’m with the old lady asking, “Where’s the beef?”
Until Ronald McDonald put a hit out on her
She was turning the fast-food world upside-down

Calling the used-to-be-somebody corporate spokespeople
Pillsbury Doughboy’s half-baked, Joe Camel’s been deserted
The Gerber Baby is already out of diapers
And the Maytag Man has hung himself out to dry

The terrible twos have come calling
And they want their tantrums back
Let’s make it to three before midnight
And the scene fades now to black

Rosemary, Ted, Louis: all terrible names for pets
Skippy, Howie, Benson: as good as it can get
We specialize in tragic comedy, laugh until you cry
Giggles run down your face without you knowing why

Calling again for the unwashed masses
I think I’ll start looking in France
Greasy old men in horn-rim glasses
Who truly believe they can dance

Where, oh where, can we find Dave Coulier now?

I make no apologies.  This is what it is.  Maybe it’ll be the surprise smash-hit of the summer.

Let’s just cut to the chase? As it stands today, TV advertising builds brands. Internet advertising does not. There’s little doubt that once a brand is established, the Internet can and does keep the momentum moving forward, but until that point is reached all the banner ads and twitter tweets will do little to ingrain your brand into the psyche of the consumer.

Creating a memorable brand requires more than getting people to talk about your product on a social network. It requires the advertiser to make an emotional connection that television does so well.  Do you honestly think Nike would be the #1 sports brand if it wasn’t for television advertising?  Or would you feel the same connection with a little known insurance company if their AFLAC-ing duck never made its way onto your television screen? 

Sure technology has changed, but the basic rules of effective marketing remain the same. You still need reach and frequency to create most truly memorable brands.  And television advertising delivers both better than anything else out there.

Television has a rich history of transforming everyday companies into household names.  From packaged goods to insurance, from fast food to tires – television has been responsible for creating some of the most memorable advertising icons.

Who can forget …

The Energizer Bunny … Frank Bartles and Ed Jaymes … Joe Isuzu … Tony The Tiger … The Michelin Man … Mr. Whipple … Dave Thomas … Mr. Peanut … The Keebler Elves … The Maytag Repairman … The Geico Gecko … Charlie The Tuna … Ronald McDonald … Mrs. Olsen … Jared from Subway … Clara “Where’s the Beef” Peller … Orville Redenbacher … The Marlboro Man …Colonel Sanders … Pillsbury Doughboy … Chef Boyardee … The AFLAC Duck … The California Raisins … Morris the Cat … The Quaker Oats Man … The Green Giant … Juan Valdez … The Doublemint Twins … The Budweiser Frogs … Rosie, The Bounty quicker picker upper … Aunt Jemima … Mr. Clean … The Verizon Wireless “Can You Hear Me Now” Man … Betty Crocker … The Lucky Charms Elf … The Geico Cavemen

Now, recall just one advertising icon or brand that wasn’t first introduced to you on television.

I’ll wait …